My girl is a second grader.
This is so strange to me because I used to teach second grade. And those kids seemed so big!
Now…I know that 7/8 isn’t old, but you know what I mean.
And now my baby girl is a second grader! And my first crop of second graders is in college. Sigh.
She was a bit nervous, as she always is. New school, new kids, new grade.
And of course a new outfit. Y’all know Harper. 🙂 She AGONIZED.
This actually wasn’t her first choice. Sadie spilled juice on her first choice at breakfast.
We won’t even get into the drama that ensued. And Sadie swears up and down it wasn’t intentional. Hmmmm.
Moving on. She rocked her first day. Big smile, big headband, big heart. I love her so much.
I had to take a few first day portraits with my DSLR. My courtyard has the most gorgeous backdrop for portraits, don’t you think?
And can y’all guess my very favorite of all of these photos? Can you guess the one that makes my heart ache because it’s full of so much love and joy?
Hint…the photo documents a first.
Ciao Ciao and love to you all. xoxo
S
Gotta be daddy walking with her to the school.
Awwww! So adorable! I LOVED 2nd grade. 🙂
Sweet sweet pictures – is she attending an International school or one on a base?
I was scrolling down and thinking ‘gorgeous’, ‘also gorgeous’, ‘gorgeous again’. Then I saw the pic of daddy taking H to school and had tears and goose pimples. Such a happy photo and a happy day.
Finally Daddy is able to experience a first day of school!! Oh how precious!!!!!
Great pictures. My son started kindergarten yesterday and I got only goofy faces and bad lighting. They are treasures still!
So glad J was there to walk Harper to school. What a special memory!! Have a great year Harper!
That last picture with her dad is pure gold! What a perfect moment to capture. My oldest just started 2nd grade this week too. 🙂 And where did you get her dress? It’s so cute!
Congrats, Miss H!!! You are sooo gonna own 2nd Grade like a boss!!! And that last pic…LOVE.
So lovely that Jimmy got to be there with you. Gorgeous set of photos. My boy starts in year 2 next week (in the UK, children start school earlier than in the US; my boy is still 6.)
She’s beautiful, and how wonderful to be walk to school with daddy on the first day!
I got it at a little store at one of the malls here. Thank you for your sweet words!
She is stunning, Steph!
Awww! Her daddy got to take her to her first day! Precious!
love these. and LOVE that J could be there to take her on her first day. so special.
Such a beautiful young lady. Love the pictures and ofcourse the one with her daddy.
A stunning girl from lovely couple!
Wish her the best school year there!!
Love love pictures!!
Jimmy was there to take her to school! Wonderful! Harper, this is going to be the best year yet! When does Sadie start?
What great memories! Love the J was able to be there.
Love the pic of J and Harper….she is beautiful! Have a wonderful 2nd grade Miss Harper!
Dang it! I wasn’t expecting that last photo and it made ME tear up. I am assuming that is the first time Jimmy got to take her to school? Awesome!!!!
sheesh I was good until I see Daddy walking her to school!! Are you kidding??? Tears streaming down my face what is wrong with me?? lol She looks great and happy. Grace
ROTFL!!! I am such a ding-a-ling! I was scrolling down and was reading this line ” . . . My courtyard has the most gorgeous backdrop for portraits, don’t you think?” and all I saw was the first picture and in background is someone’s rear end! LOL! I am still cracking up! Then I scrolled down and saw the other pictures and realized that you were not being sarcastic about the courtyard. It really is beautiful. And I now realize that the photo that I was laughing at was actually at Harper’s new school. Like I said . . . I am a ding-a-ling. ♥ Hoping Miss Harper has a wonderful school year.♥ Ciao!
Aw, I am sure Harper is super excited that her daddy took her to school! Great pics of Harper.
Your courtyard is the perfect backdrop! As I was scrolling and looking at the pictures I was trying to look real close to see if I could spot the one that melts your heart, and then when you see it, you just know! Brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. Love that Jimmy is there to take her to her first day of 2nd grade! It’s a great picture, the smile on his face as he is bent over talking to her, I can see why it melts your heart. Maybe looking at it helps make up for the juice drama earlier! 🙂
Daddy was there, how wonderful. Beautiful pictures of your beautiful girl. I have a seven year old, and I can’t believe he is just about to start Key Stage 2. Oh it does all go so very quickly. Hope she enjoys it.
That last picture…it made me tear up immediately. She is going to do great in second grade.
That was my guess too lol!! awesome pictures.
Great pictures! Does Sadie start kindergarten? Is it full day in Italy? How exciting! I bet she picks up the language fast. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures! I love how she is holding up the number 2 for 2nd grade!
On my the look of love on his face made my heart melt, you are very blessed.
Aww, that’s so awesome. Glad she rocked it! 🙂
Love all the pictures but totally get for many reasons why the one with Jimmy would be the favorite. She looks so excited
I love that J was able to be there for H!! Second grade was one of the best years I ever had in school. I still keep in contact with my teacher and it has been 50 years!!! I hope you are able to tell us a little about the schools where the girls will be going. I LOVE all the pictures you are posting also. Does the whole adventure sometimes feel like a dream??
So happy for you all the your Husband was able to be with her on her first day of Second Grade. Such a special time for you all.
Wow! So happy to be reading one of your blog posts two days in a row! Me and my morning coffee have missed you. What beautiful pictures. The first one melts my heart. She looks like such a young lady. So happy that J was there to share the first day of school. (I’m guessing that’s your favorite and rightfully so!)
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! And that last photo! Just so happy for you guys!!
Love the last photo of daddy and the big girl…..
your daughter is so beautiful….
love that photo of her smiling and looking at you over her shoulder, but man… seeing j get to be there to walk her in? i know i’m crazy emotional these days but that made me tear up! xo.
oh, how wonderful that J was able to be there! Great pictures – I’m sure there is a LO dancing around in your head about this. 🙂
I think I remember you said what kind of school she was going to but can you tell that again. Do they have someone that is in the Army that is a teacher teaching school over there.
So sweet
Totally brought a tear to my eye. Love the photos.
sweeeeeetttt!
Ohh, Jimmy got to take her to school too!! That’s so awesome!! She LOOKS so old!! And just pretty as a peach. She’s going to have the Italian boys knocking on your door!! 🙂
Beautiful girl! So sweet and “so big”! Love the dress! Sad for you – elated for her!
Miss Harper is too adorable!
uhm let me guess. There are so many firsts here! Bottom right?
Is she going to an international school?
don’t they grow up so fast? just wanted to say i have always enjoyed your blog but am really enjoying the pics of italy. keem ’em coming! thanks!
Beautiful wall and wonderful last pic with her Daddy! Have a great year Harper!
That is so sweet….and the outfit is lovely…even if it wasn’t the first choice 😉
You are capturing some beautiful shots and great memories!
Such sweetness, thanks for sharing. Is first week of school cooler there? We’re still hovering around 100 in North Texas, have more gelato for us!
Cannot believe how much Harper has grown, but she still has the same wonderful smile!! I am so thrilled that you all got to go to Italy. Now that Stephanie has clued me into your webpage I will love keeping up with the Howell family. Miss you guys!
Betsy
Adorable. She totally rocked that headband. And love, love, love that her Daddy got to experience a first day of school with her.